GOALKEEPER OWONO SUSPENDED FOR 12 MATCHES AFTER DE MIGUEL’S DEATH

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono has been handed a 12-match suspension by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee following a challenge that resulted in the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel last week.

The Equatorial Guinea international was sent off during a second-division encounter on November 2 after rushing into midfield and colliding with De Miguel while attempting to clear an aerial ball.

Following the collision, De Miguel, 30, was admitted to hospital and placed in intensive care. The Spanish forward died on November 3.

Explaining its decision on Friday, the disciplinary committee said its assessment was based on the referee’s report, which described the incident as violent conduct.

“The assessment of the conduct under consideration in these proceedings must be based on the facts expressly recorded in the referee’s report, which states that the player was sent off for ‘violently striking an opponent in the chest with his leg, using excessive force, while the ball was in play’,” said the committee in a statement.

“The tragic outcome of the incident, resulting in the death of Jesus de Miguel Alameda, is public knowledge.

“In view of the nature of the conduct described and the accompanying circumstances… the maximum sanction, 12 matches of suspension, is justified.”

Spanish police sources last week told AFP that an investigation into the incident had been opened under judicial supervision.

Owono later said he was enduring the “hardest days of my life” following De Miguel’s death.